The Word Illustrated #60--The ineffective prophet

The Word Illustrated #60
© Pamyla Floyd
9/9/2010

The ineffective prophet

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: -- I Corinthians 12:10

Many in the body of Christ are with gifts they use for the glory of God. Some are born with their gifts; others are given gifts in life. In I Corinthians 14:1, we are encouraged to follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that we prophesy. The gifts and callings of God are not withdrawn, but they can become ineffective.

When we step out of the will of God, we are telling Him that we can handle our lives better than He. The prophet out of order will:

• Take advantage of others because of their gifting
• Take (steal) what he/she feels they are entitled to
• Use their gift to glorify themselves rather than God or edify the church
• Engage in activities against the flesh, because they feel that they can

When in a rebellious state, any word given becomes cancerous to the person/church that it goes out to. The prophet’s vision is clouded, and they cannot differentiate whether they are actually hearing from the Spirit of the Lord, or seeing through their vain imagination. The receiver is left in a state of confusion, because the word does not bear witness with their spirit. They do not confirm anything that the Lord has already told them, they are words that fall to the ground null and void. Confusion is of the devil, and is he is pulling the strings, putting their life where he wants it, in his hands.

Prophets are people set apart; they have to hear and move, by the voice of the Lord, and not by the influence of man. If not girded with the amour of God, they experience doubt and unbelief. Next, depression sets in, paranoia begins to take over, and they continually look over their shoulders like a criminal on the run. Not only is their sanity threatened, but their very lives are on the line at this point! satan comes to kill, steal and destroy, and he seduces with acceptance and the promise of friends. he wants to and will silence for good any prophet whose ears he can shut from hearing the voice of the Lord their God.

Now the health of the ineffective prophet is under attack as he moves to take your life. If this is you, and you have been living a life outside of God’s standards, I suggest that you confess your sins, ask forgiveness and begin taking the steps to get back in right fellowship and service. I also suggest that you team up with a trustworthy intercessor with whom you can openly pray with. Remember, you are a priest and a prophet, and that you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you! I’m glad to see you back.

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or want help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:
Proverbs 18:6 -- A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men –
Romans 11:29 -- For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance

Note: The illustration is of a man holding onto the wing of an airplane with an exclamation point over his head. He is tied onto the wing by a rope

The Word Illustrated #56--The Word Works!

The Word Illustrated #56
© Pamyla Floyd
8/6/2010

The word works!

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves – James 1:22

Those who are of the household of faith should be wealthy in knowledge, health and wealth according to the word of God. Instead, poverty, sickness and ignorance plague the body of Christ. If we believed the word, we would have no problem doing what it says to do. But, when we walk in doubt and unbelief, we cannot fully experience the abundant life that Jesus talked about in John 10:10.

If we walk in disobedience, we are standing in agreement with satan for what he says about us. Someone may say “Well I don’t know how to ‘do’ the word of God”. I say, look at James 1:5, we are told that if ANY of us lacks wisdom, to come to God, who gives to ALL men liberally (generously) and upbraideth (discourages) not and it SHALL be given him. Pray and ask God in the name of Jesus to bring you into wisdom and understanding of His word.



From personal experience, I can tell you that the word works! I had to first learn to trust God though. It is a process, and it takes time, but it is so worth it. The more I trusted Him, the more I began to walk by faith. We are like an onion whose layers are being peeled away to reveal more of what’s inside. As we begin to exhibit humbleness of heart, and go the extra mile to please the Lord, we will become less attractive to those who are hearers only of the word. Do not fret, there are more who are with us, than those who are against us. Be of good courage and move forward in Christ. He promised to never leave nor forsake us, He always keeps His word.

We are admonished to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. It is a healthy reverence and respect for the Lord that Philippians 2:12 is speaking about. To live in carnality is to live a defeated life. No one wants to keep walking into walls, banging their heads, while expecting different results. We must put our faith into action in order to see positive fruit in our lives. It is what we believe in our hearts and what we say out of our mouths that come to pass. What are you speaking over your life? Change begins when we get into a Jesus believing, bible teaching church that walks by faith. In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.

God bless,
Pamyla

If you want to know how to ask Jesus into your heart, or need help in leading someone to Christ, please visit my Salvation page. If you want prayer or need help finding scriptures to stand on, please email me: thewordillustrated at yahoo dot com

Reference Scriptures:

Romans 10:17 – So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God

Hebrews 1:6 – But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him

Note: The animated image is of a woman who is in a maze. Because she hears the word, but does not do what it says, she keeps bumping into walls. She wonders why her life does not change.